Since my father is British, Christmas with my family at my aunt’s house includes the mandatory trifle and mysterious Christmas pudding. Both impressive feats of culinary design and imagination.

The trifle is usually made from thick custard, fruit, cake, gelatin, and cream. Arranged in layers with fruit and sponge on the bottom and custard and cream on top – it is a colossal but delicious desert, with many variations based upon one’s family tradition. For example, some styles include the “Creole Christmas Trifle.”